Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong said the establishment of the police oversight body, to replace the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC), was in line with Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) manifesto pledge to tackle and investigate issues concerning police integrity and misconduct.
The de facto law minister said recommendations had been presented and agreed upon to ensure the body would be truly independent and effective, with the power to address problems in the police force.
“The framework in the setting up of the IPCMC considers more holistic powers, in line with existing laws.
“We are looking to table the bill in the next sitting, after all issues and policy matters are finalised,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
Liew (Warisan-Batu Sapi) was replying to Maria Chin Abdullah (PH-Petaling Jaya), who had asked about the timeline for the setting up of the IPCMC, and measures to ensure that the body is independent and has the authority to solve problems within law enforcement agencies.
On Sept 22, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced that the Cabinet had agreed to convert the EAIC to the IPCMC.
The idea of setting up the IPCMC was mooted during Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s tenure as prime minister, from 2003 to 2009.
However, Abdullah shelved the proposal following opposition from the police and other parties.
Maria also asked about the statement by Inspector-General of Police Mohamamd Fuzi Harun who said he was not against setting up the oversight body but hoped the rights of the police would be maintained.
She also asked about the structure of the IPCMC.
Liew said he believed Fuzi was referring to the rights of the police as enshrined in the Federal Constitution. He cited Article 140 which states that there should be a police force commission which will be responsible for appointments, promotions and all issues pertaining to the discipline of the police.
“This is where the rights of the police are guaranteed, as stated in the Federal Constitution. As you are aware, the IPCMC focuses on complaints against the police, where disciplinary action can be taken against them.
“In some ways this is contradictory to Article 140 because disciplinary action against the police is to be taken by the police force commission. According to Articles 132 and 144 of the Federal Constitution, powers surrounding disciplinary action against the police cannot be carried out by a statutory body,” he said.
To Noraini Ahmad (BN-Parit Sulong) who asked about the criteria which would be used by the home ministry to appoint members of the commission, and how the body would ensure the rights of the police are protected, Liew said the commission was set up only to handle complaints against the police.
“The EAIC could not do this (previously), and proposed that the IPCMC be set up.
“At this juncture, meetings are still ongoing to determine the structure of the body. Please be patient. When it is tabled, we will reveal the criteria and who will be appointed.”